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MINI COOPER S Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 1,524 MOT tests from 216 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every MINI COOPER S has the same fault.

MINI COOPER S's have a extremely good reliability rating of 775/999. The score was calculated from the average of every MINI COOPER S that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

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MINI COOPER S side viewMINI COOPER S (example)
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Check a MINI Cooper S before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

MINI Cooper S side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A882/999Excellent73,582 miles781 vehicles
N/AN/A880/999Excellent73,582 miles750 vehicles
N/AN/A870/999Excellent71,353 miles5,623 vehicles
N/AN/A790/999Very good78,014 miles4,270 vehicles
N/AN/A768/999Very good76,681 miles5,134 vehicles
N/AN/A760/999Very good76,591 miles1,109 vehicles
N/AN/A737/999Very good85,128 miles1,670 vehicles
N/AN/A734/999Very good88,319 miles4,382 vehicles
N/AN/A716/999Very good89,536 miles1,427 vehicles
N/AN/A707/999Very good91,213 miles3,246 vehicles
N/AN/A685/999Good90,340 miles847 vehicles

How reliable is the MINI COOPER S?

Based on 1,524 MOT tests from 216 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

216

MOT tests

1,524

Pass rate

85%

Median mileage

49,626 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every MINI COOPER S has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 843 out of 999.

Common MINI COOPER S MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 206 advisory comments and 56 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 51 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 50 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 28 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 11 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 10 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS A SERIOUS FLUID LEAK (5.3.2 (B))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 6 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

Lambda sensor issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 5 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lambda sensor reading or defect noted at the test.

What to inspect

Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Example MOT wording: EXHAUST LAMBDA READING AFTER 2ND FAST IDLE OUTSIDE SPECIFIED LIMITS (8.2.1.2 (C))

MINI COOPER S MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2023141580%Tyre wear
2022142885.7%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2021226692.4%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020125098%Tyre wear
20192012586.4%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20182416589.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20172116686.7%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20161412489.5%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20152220888.9%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
20141315777.7%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20131519378.2%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
201256584.6%Corrosion, Tyre wear

What to check when buying a used MINI COOPER S

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

  • Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

  • Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

  • Lambda sensor issues. Ask whether a sensor or emissions fault has been diagnosed since the test.

Buying a MINI COOPER S?

Common problems tell you what can affect MINI COOPER Ss generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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